letter + voice

[acceptedlife]

[Early in the morning, almost as if it were timed, every single Native OC who was at the dinner last month and every Outworlder receives a similar physical packet. In it is, written in neat handwriting, a letter placed atop two different manila folders.]

Hey.

Most of you have never heard from me, but of those who have seen Futaba's notes on what we know so far, you may recognize my name. I am Takeshi Nakagawa, an Outworlder like most of you who receive this. Previously, I was a Hero of Light.

By now you've likely heard of the tale of Crystallis and how the journey ended for four of us. I was not one of them, but I witnessed their sacrifice along with countless others. It is because of their deeds that we are all here this day, for if they did not, all worlds and all universes would have been wiped out by a threat that posed to consume and assimilate them unto themselves and into an existence that doesn't know life or death.

I do not share this with the intention of scaring anyone, but to inform you all of what has been hinted at and danced around. What we may face in the coming months may well hinge on what we know.

As a promise for the future: I intend to keep sharing these words gathered here to every person who shows up in the Dream Width. 'Cuz those who turn their backs on the past risk history repeating itself.

I will post something on the network shortly after everyone should be receiving this. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me there or mail them to me physically. For those who arrive in the coming waves, you can always reach me via the contacts list if my name has not been grayed out.

We need to be prepared, and face whatever comes our way head-on.

Also, as some of this concerns a certain problem, do not share this with anyone outside our number until the world leaders agree to go public about it.

- Takeshi Nakagawa

[Said manila folders of information are labeled Crystallis' Status Report (outdated, obviously) and Addendum: the World of Ruins and the Aftermath. About three hours after the characters receive this, a post on the linkshell shows up. The voice is tired, likely from having worked on assisting with custom jobs all day. Yet his voice remains crystal clear:]

Hey. If you're not completely distracted by working on these custom jobs, you've likely seen the letters I've sent most of you by now. Ran out of paper while working on one for the Center employees. If not, take the time to read them before responding to this. For those who have: I expect you all have questions after the letter I sent. If I can, I'll try to answer them.

For those who don't know me, I'm Takeshi.

Comments

Voice

[whirluendo_of_puns]

[Uendo was going to comment on the drawings, but then he came across a snippet of information that chased all the bunnies out of his head.]

Hey, Takeshi. About that letter you sent... I think I finally figured out something that's been bugging me since the festival.

Y'know that pyramid in Ardynia? There were murals and stained glasses there that portrayed a legend of four heroes who died to help the following generation fight the Goddess of Death. There were statues of those heroes, too -- a child, a man, two women. And I'm certain one of the women was Kalki.

I didn't know what to make of it at the time, but it has to be about the cycle that came before yours, right? The one that's mentioned in the second paragraph of the "Avatars of the Calamity" bit.

Voice

[acceptedlife]

Yeah. You got it. [He pauses, thinking back on it.] I went there myself, but didn't run into anyone. The child was likely Ib. I remember seeing her around, too - whether it was another version of her or a reincarnation, I wouldn't know. Didn't ask.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

I see. And the two women would have been [he pauses to check the report again] Kalki and Gelda Nebilim. And the guy with the nose must have been Igor...

[Hmm...]

...You think this might have something to do with why there are two versions of the origin story? I mean, the natives of Vaikuntha wouldn't have the context to realize these were two totally different events.

[acceptedlife]

Exactly. And it could be; from what we've found, it makes the most sense so far. I'd like to find more info on what we can here before I say "Yes" outright, though.

[singerofspells]

That has given me a lot to think about. Thank you.

The thing I am worried about is enough resonates with my own shoal of universes that I can't tell if I am still there, or in another entirely. If the latter, there's a great deal in common.

[acceptedlife]

I can't say whether we're in yours or not, but what I can say is that there were a lot of things in common between Crystallis, Vaikuntha, and my own worlds, too. Though I can say for sure that we aren't in the same universe as the one I'm from.

[singerofspells]

I'm inclined to think I'm not, if only because my wizardry doesn't work here. But how does it resemble your home?

[acceptedlife]

Some of the magic is similar, people know about other worlds and are from some of them, memories being brought back to life...

[He could go on for a while, but he won't.]

voice

[likewishes]

Is seems like this world and Crystallis has a lot in common. I know it's merely speculation, but do you think that this one was born from Crystallis?

I suppose I am asking what your take on it is, considering you've decided to hand us all this information.

voice

[acceptedlife]

[...What rock has this guy been living under the last several months? If he hasn't arrived in the last wave, anyway.]

I think they're connected, whether this world is born from it or not. And considering the things that are blatantly common, I couldn't just sit on this.

[...Because he remembers Bahamut, but he won't say that over these devices even now.]

voice

[likewishes]

[ Not so much rock as it is dealing with family matters and one veritable crises after another. ]

Not for longer than you already have at any rate.

[ But that isn't exactly what Lelouch intends to point out. ]

I encountered someone that claims he was born here. However I "mistook" him for someone that I know from back home.

[ Lelouch isn't sure if anyone else has encountered that or not yet. It's an interesting side note though, hmm? ]

voice

[arosetowar]

It all reads like a fantasy novel. [Unreal and distant and impossible-seeming even now, after everything she's experienced on Vaikuntha.] One that's yet to be adapted with a satisfactory ending.

[A scoff, a pause, and then:]

These WEAPONs... they're one and the same with the museum's relics?

[A little quick, perhaps, but she'd rather cut to the point than delay it behind other topics.]

voice

[acceptedlife]

Right? I tried, but kind of pressed for time. The bunnies didn't help, either.

[He recognizes this voice. He frowns, before adding:]

I can't say if they are the exact same things, but they're similar.

voice;

[garyoutensei]

... None of this sits right with me. I don't like the idea of being part of someone else's legacy. If all of this is just a continuation of someone else's story, I prefer to take my exit and go back home.

voice;

[acceptedlife]

If you find one, do share.

[His tone is icy cold; this isn't the first, and likely won't be the last that he hears the words "go back home." It's never sit well with him.]

I'm sure those who have one would love to go back, too. In the meantime? What do you think life is? That it centers just around you and your problems? Don't make me laugh.

[garyoutensei]

-Her own tone in response doesn't really change. She'd felt something like that was coming, and she didn't really blame him, either.-

Listen, I'm not a hero, especially not when someone else is trying to force me into that role. I didn't volunteer for any of this, I was conscripted, pulled from my home by the Dream Width or whoever else is responsible to take place in some legend that I have no choice or will within. I don't like being someone else's gamepiece. I'm sure you can understand that, if nothing else.

Beyond that... I'm just a half-dead wraith who's only good for killing and revenge. People like me aren't good to anyone in situations like this...

I know that will upset some of the people here. There are lives at stake. But it's not my war, and no one had any right to drag me into it.

text;

[promiselisting]

[ And here it is, finally.... ]

Man, I'm going to have to completely overhaul my notes between this and the Imperial visit.

text;

[acceptedlife]

I'd say I'm sorry, but my garden of damns was flooded recently and the plants have been lost to the sea. (っ◞‸◟c)

[Hopefully she gets the hidden message in that: he's moved to Myste Aura, a place where flooding is common.]

text;

[promiselisting]

[ Hm. She does catch at least his drift. ]

You know, building gardens on the beach generally iiiiisn't the smartest idea. Just saying.

pretend this isn't hideously belated; Voice

[fixed_destiny]

Thank you very much for all this information. I'm glad you and possibly others were able to come out the other side of that ... situation, your knowledge may be invaluable.

['May'? Xehanort's betting that it'll be vital.]

Is this history repeating itself?

belated? what belated? (also voice)

[acceptedlife]

[There is a pause; sorry, his brain may have short circuited a second.]

There are a few of us here; most either remained or returned to their old lives.

And no problem. Wish I could say it wasn't, but... I've seen a few things that're happening here happen in Crystallis. The major one I wouldn't say over this.

still voice

[fixed_destiny]

[The response is weighed carefully, partly because it's IMPORTANT SHIT, partly because, well, this sounds like that pain in the ass who's been giving him a hard time on TWO worlds now.

But the lack of hostility and run-around is telling.]

Is there a safer way to discuss such things? If this method isn't viable, does that mean the person-to-person messages are also unwise?

[There's a pause here as well, ALMOST long enough to suggest he's done, but then-]

.. And pardon me if this is .. rude or prying, but ... Is there another person here who sounds rather like you?

action; a day later

[shadowsthedawn]

[To say that the information Takeshi provided everyone had given Riku something to think about would be an understatement. He spent most of the afternoon and evening staring at the notes, reading and re-reading, making sure that there's nothing he missed. There's not much that can conclusively be linked between Crystallis and this world, but there are enough similarities to raise several eyebrows.

Low-key stalking Takshi's mognet announcement has also given him a couple of other things to think about. But it all leads to the fact that he has questions and the only person he really trusts to answer him is his replica.

Which brings us to why Riku is standing at Takeshi's door the next day, pizza box balanced carefully on one arm as he uses his other hand to knock. Who doesn't love a good food bribery?]

[acceptedlife]

[He'd be surprised if they didn't give Riku something to think about, and ever since he basically exploded at Baiken... He's been kicking himself. It's been a long time since he snapped like that, the last time being in the heat of battle.

That said, he kind of expected he'd see Riku again soon. What he didn't expect was that it'd be the very next day, and with a pizza box...? Takeshi blinks, a bit of a teasing smirk crossing his lips.]

Didn't take you for a delivery boy.

[And he didn't even order anything. Tsk tsk. Still, he moves to the side to let the real thing enter unbarred. His apartment isn't much, and far smaller than the house they briefly shared at the Center, but hey; he's taken steps to make it feel a little more secure. Both in adding soundproofing (for... reasons) and purchasing some healing supplies; supplies which are currently arranged on shelves alongside a few sparse books in the living room as if they're decorations.]

Make yourself at home. [Or whatever it is you're supposed to say. He didn't have visitors often, okay?]

[shadowsthedawn]

[He shrugs, not bothered by the comment, as he steps over the threshold and into the apartment. He takes a quick assessment of the room as he strolls inside and locates a table to set the pizza down on.]

I sort of banked on the idea that we'd share the same taste in pizza. Double pepperoni and cheese. [There's a not so subtle question in the way his gaze moves between the pizza and Takeshi. A silence 'is that okay?' lingering between them.]

Where do you keep your plates? Do you have anything to drink?

[He figures he might as well get everything set up so they can sit down and eat before getting to business. Food bribery only works if they can actually eat while he needles Takeshi for answers.]